Search Results (2,337)

This study investigated the effects of bio-organic fertilizer (BF) containing plant growth-promoting bacterium Bacillus velezensis SS-20 on soil properties, microbial community structure, and C/N cycle functional genes. The results showed that compared with chemical fertilizer (CF) and deactivated bio-organic fertilizer (BFD) treatments, BF significantly improved soil physicochemical properties. Soil pH, organic matter, total nitrogen, total potassium, and total phosphorus content under BF treatment were increased by 14.8%, 56.5%, 48.2%, 38.8%, and 58.4%, respectively, compared to the control; soil urease and sucrase activities increased by 3.5 and 2.4 times those of CF treatment, respectively. Meanwhile, BF increased pakchoi yield by 11.2% (vs. CF). BF treatment enhanced the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria Actinomycetota by 28.4% compared with the BFD treatment and raised that of fungi Ascomycota to 1.9 times that of the control. At the genus level, BF significantly enriched biocontrol-relevant genus Pseudogymnoascus, whose abundance reached three times that of CF treatment, while the abundance of potentially harmful genus Penicillium decreased by 82%. BF also led to a high degree of synergy in carbon and nitrogen cycles. Functional gene analysis indicated that BF down-regulated multiple carbon-degrading genes, increased organic nitrogen metabolism genes by 5.3%, and reduced denitrification genes by 13.3%. Overall, bio-organic fertilizer optimized the soil microenvironment, regulated the microbial community structure, and improved C/N use efficiency and plant growth by introducing functional microorganisms and organic matter. Full article

Polypropylene microplastics (PP-MPs) represent a persistent class of marine pollutants due to their hydrophobicity, high crystallinity, and resistance to environmental degradation. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the environmental behavior, physicochemical aging, and ecotoxicological risks of PP-MPs, with emphasis on microbial degradation pathways involving bacteria, fungi, algae, and filter-feeding invertebrates. The biodegradation of PP-MPs is jointly regulated by environmental conditions, polymer properties, and the structure and function of plastisphere communities. Although photo-oxidation and mechanical abrasion enhance microbial colonization by increasing surface roughness and introducing oxygenated functional groups, overall degradation rates remain low in marine environments. Emerging mitigation strategies include biodegradable polymer alternatives, multifunctional catalytic and adsorptive materials, engineered microbial consortia, and integrated photo–biodegradation systems. Key research priorities include elucidating molecular degradation mechanisms, designing programmable degradable materials, and establishing AI-based monitoring frameworks. This review provides a concise foundation for developing ecologically safe and scalable approaches to PP-MP reduction and sustainable marine pollution management. Full article

Soils with an albic horizon (characterized by a bleached, nutrient-poor eluvial layer), classified primarily as Albic Planosols and associated groups (e.g., Albic Luvisols and Retisols) in the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB), are widespread in Northeast China and suffer from inherent poor nutrient availability and low crop productivity. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of novel microbial–enzyme composite biofertilizers in ameliorating Albic soils. This comprehensive assessment investigated their effects on soil nutrient availability, microbial community structure, and the activities of key enzymes involved in nutrient cycling (e.g., dehydrogenase and phosphatase). Concurrently, the impact on maize crop performance was determined by measuring changes in agronomic traits, including chlorophyll content, stem diameter, and final grain yield. A field experiment was conducted in Heilongjiang Province during the 2023 maize growing season using a randomized block design with six treatments: CF (conventional chemical fertilizer, 330 kg·ha⁻¹ NPK), OF (chemical fertilizer + 1500 kg·ha⁻¹ organic carrier), BF1 (OF + 75 kg·ha⁻¹ marine actinomycetes), BF2 (OF + 75 kg·ha⁻¹ actinomycetes + 45 kg·ha⁻¹ phytase), BF3 (OF + 75 kg·ha⁻¹ actinomycetes + 45 kg·ha⁻¹ mycorrhizal fungi + 45 kg·ha⁻¹ phytase), and BF4 (OF + 75 kg·ha⁻¹ actinomycetes + 45 kg·ha⁻¹ mycorrhizal fungi + 45 kg·ha⁻¹ phytase + 45 kg·ha⁻¹ β–glucosidase). The results showed that biofertilizers significantly increased microbial abundance and enzyme activity. The integrated treatment BF4 notably enhanced topsoil fungal abundance by 188.1% and dehydrogenase activity in the 0–20 cm layer, while also increasing available phosphorus by 92.6% at maturity. Although BF4 improved soil properties the most, BF3 produced the highest maize yield—boosting grain output by 18.3% over CF—and improved stem diameter and chlorophyll content. Strong correlations between microbial parameters and enzyme activities indicated a nutrient-cycling mechanism driven by microorganisms, with topsoil fungal abundance positively linked to alkaline phosphatase activity (r = 0.72) and subsoil bacterial abundance associated with available phosphorus (r = 0.65), demonstrating microbial–mediated carbon–phosphorus coupling. In conclusion, microbial–enzyme biofertilizers, particularly BF4, provide a sustainable strategy for enhancing Albic soil fertility and crop productivity. Full article

Drought stress severely limits wheat growth, development and yield. Endophytic fungi play a crucial role in plant growth and drought resistance. In agricultural production, they hold significant application potential as biocontrol agents capable of mitigating drought-induced damage. However, the mechanisms underlying changes in endophytic fungal community structure under drought stress remain unclear. Our study employed amplicon sequencing to investigate the structure of endophytic fungal communities in wheat roots under different water treatments, comparing structural and functional changes between different treatments. Results revealed that drought stress led to the greatest accumulation of relative abundance in the phylum Ascomycota (86.4%). At the genus level, Stachybotrys (increase 994.2%), Fusarium (increase 94.6%) and Aspergillus (increase 295.6%) showed the most significant increases in relative abundance. Co-occurrence network and Sankey diagram analysis revealed that wheat roots formed a drought-specific endophytic fungal community centered around Stachybotrys, Fusarium and Aspergillus, which indirectly enhanced crop drought tolerance. Our findings provide a theoretical foundation for future agricultural strategies to improve crop drought resistance through precise regulation of microbial communities. Full article

Microorganisms live in a wide range of environments, performing diverse roles either independently or in association with other organisms forming consortia. This study is focused on those with the ability to bioremediate environments contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs), that is, the case of bacteria, fungi, algae, and consortia. PHC contamination constitutes a major global environmental issue, and presents a serious ecological risk. This research was conducted in the coastal waters of Haina Port (Dominican Republic) and the main objective was to characterise the bacterial communities with bioremediation capacity by sequencing the 16S rRNA. The samples were collected in sterile conditions, and physicochemical and molecular analyses were conducted. The results revealed the composition and distribution of bacterial communities in the area. At the phylum level, Proteobacteria is the dominant group, accounting for 70–90% of the community. At the class level, Gammaproteobacteria is the predominant group, followed by Alphaproteobacteria which ranks second in relative abundance. Bacillaceae appears as the most abundant family at most points. This 16S rRNA survey provides a taxonomic baseline of the microbial community, identifying taxa with documented degradative potential. Future functional analyses and culture studies are required to quantify and confirm the active metabolic pathways of the detected microorganisms. Full article

Ancient books and documents constitute an important cultural heritage, which are composed by different supports, such as cardboard, parchment and paper. Due to their composition (animal- and plant-based matrices), they allow bacteria and fungi to thrive, causing the phenomenon of biodeterioration, an ecological succession in parchment. Four ancient books called “Compositionum” from the Apostolic Vatican Archive, made of the same materials, exposed to weather-beating conditions and showing different degrees of deterioration, were analysed by a multidisciplinary approach: DNA metabarcoding using NGS, Light Transmission Analysis and Raman and FTIR spectroscopy. The results highlighted how the biodeteriogen community composition changed from the least to the most damaged, without evidence of significant microbial transfer across the three matrices. The results allow confirmation of the ecological succession as biodeterioration process, including cardboard and paper, in addition to in parchment. These results give important insight for the conservation and restoration practices of all matrices. Full article

This study explored the patterns and mechanisms influencing changes in silage quality, mycotoxin accumulation, and microbial community structure in oat silage after lodging. Upright oat forage (control, CK), lodging oat forage (upper layer (UL), lower layer (LL), and mixed layers (MLs) were harvested at 0, 7, 25, and 45 days after lodging and ensiled for 60 days. The results showed that the dry matter (DM) and water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content decreased significantly (p < 0.05), whereas crude protein (CP) and fiber content increased significantly compared to upright oats (p < 0.05). The WSC and CP content in silage decreased with increasing lodging duration. The fiber content increased in late harvest after lodging. The risk of mycotoxin infection increased after lodging, with aflatoxin levels exceeding EU limits. The mycotoxins in UL silage were the lowest when lodging lasted for seven days. Lodging oat silage was dominated by Lactobacillus, and the Pseudomonas in the lodging group was less than 4%. The fungi in lodging oat silage was lower, and the UL (upper layer) treatment was the lowest when lodging for 7 days. Overall, the transfer of microorganisms, especially Plectosphaerella, Fusarium, Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Botryotrichum, from soil to silage following oat collapse is of interest. The results suggest the soil–plant microbial interactions and their effects on silage fermentation and mycotoxins in lodging oats. Full article

Sustainable food production for a growing population requires farming practices that reduce chemical inputs while maintaining soil as a living, renewable foundation for productivity. This review synthesizes current advances in understanding how endophytic fungi (EFs) interact with the soil microbiome and contribute to the physicochemical and biological dimensions of soil health in arable ecosystems. We examine evidence showing that EFs enhance plant nutrition through phosphate solubilization, siderophore-mediated micronutrient acquisition, and improved nitrogen use efficiency while also modulating plant hormones and stress-responsive pathways. EFs further increase crop resilience to drought, salinity, and heat; suppress pathogens; and influence key soil properties including aggregation, organic matter turnover, and microbial network stability. Recent integration of multi-omics, metabolomics, and community-level analyses has shifted the field from descriptive surveys toward mechanistic insight, revealing how EFs regulate nutrient cycling and remodel rhizosphere communities toward disease-suppressive and nutrient-efficient states. A central contribution of this review is the linkage of EF-mediated plant functions with soil microbiome dynamics and soil structural processes framed within a translational pipeline encompassing strain selection, formulation, delivery, and field scale monitoring. We also highlight current challenges, including context-dependent performance, competition with native microbiota, and formulation and deployment constraints that limit consistent outcomes under field conditions. By bridging microbial ecology with agronomy, this review positions EFs as biocontrol agents, biofertilizers, and ecosystem engineers with strong potential for resilient, low-input, and climate-adaptive cropping systems. Full article

Changes in preservation conditions act as an important environmental filter driving shifts in microbial communities. However, the precise identities, functional traits, and ecological mechanisms of the dominant agents driving stage-specific deterioration remain insufficiently characterized. This study investigated microbial communities and dominant fungal degraders in waterlogged versus dried bamboo slips using amplicon sequencing, multivariate statistics, and microbial isolation. Results revealed compositionally distinct communities, with dried slips sharing only a small proportion of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) with waterlogged slips, while indicating the persistence of a subset of taxa across preservation states. A key discovery was the dominance of Fonsecaea minima (92% relative abundance) at the water-solid-air interface of partially submerged slips. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) indicate that this fungus forms melanin-rich, biofilm-like surface structures, suggesting enhanced surface colonization and stress resistance. In contrast, the fungal community isolated from dried slips was characterized by Apiospora saccharicola associated with detectable xylanase activity. Meanwhile, the xerophilic species Xerogeomyces pulvereus dominated (99% relative abundance) the storage box environment. Together, these results demonstrate that preservation niches select for fungi with distinct functional traits, highlighting the importance of stage-specific preservation strategies that consider functional traits rather than taxonomic identity alone. Full article

Marine fog is a key non-rainfall water source that sustains microbial activity and transports dissolved nutrients inland, influencing early soil development in hyperarid ecosystems. However, the mechanisms through which sustained fog inputs drive soil surface modification and biocrust formation remain poorly understood. This study evaluated the effects of long-term fog augmentation on soil surface development, biocrust dynamics, and associated microbial communities in the Atacama Desert. We implemented a four-year fog addition field experiment with three sampling times (T0, T24, T48) to assess changes in soil physicochemical properties, biocrust composition, and the integrated multi-diversity of archaea, bacteria, fungi and protist. Sustained fog input transformed bare soils into biological soil crusts, particularly lichen- and moss-dominated stages. This transition was accompanied by increases in soil nitrogen, variations in organic matter accumulation, a shift from alkaline to near-neutral pH, and improvements in soil stability and water retention. Multi-diversity increased over time and was positively associated with ecosystem variables linked to water availability, structural stabilization, and decomposition. These functions, integrated into an ecosystem multifunctionality index, also increased under prolonged fog input, revealing a positive relationship between multifunctionality and multi-diversity. Overall, the results demonstrate that sustained fog input strongly enhances early soil surface development and biocrust establishment, highlighting the ecological importance of marine fog in shaping biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in hyperarid landscapes. Full article

To elucidate the potential of integrated multi-omics approaches for studying systemic mechanisms of mycorrhizal fungi in mediating plant-microbe interactions, this study employed the Tuber-inoculated Corylus system as a model to demonstrate how high-throughput profiling can investigate how fungal inoculation reshapes the rhizosphere microbial community and correlates with host metabolism. A pot experiment was conducted comparing inoculated (CTG) and non-inoculated (CK) plants, followed by integrated multi-omics analysis involving high-throughput sequencing (16S/ITS), functional prediction (PICRUSt2/FUNGuild), and metabolomics (UPLC-MS/MS). The results demonstrated that inoculation significantly restructured the fungal community, establishing Tuber as a dominant symbiotic guild and effectively suppressing pathogenic fungi. Although bacterial alpha diversity remained stable, the functional profile shifted markedly toward symbiotic support, including antibiotic biosynthesis and environmental adaptation. Concurrently, root metabolic reprogramming occurred, characterized by upregulation of strigolactones and downregulation of gibberellin A5, suggesting a potential “symbiosis-priority” strategy wherein carbon allocation shifted from structural growth to energy storage, and plant defense transitioned from broad-spectrum resistance to targeted regulation. Multi-omics correlation analysis further revealed notable associations between microbial communities and root metabolites, proposing a model in which Tuber acts as a core regulator that collaborates with the host to assemble a complementary micro-ecosystem. In summary, the integrated approach successfully captured multi-level changes, suggesting that Tuber-Corylus symbiosis constitutes a fungus-driven process that transforms the rhizosphere from a competitive state into a mutualistic state, thereby illustrating the role of mycorrhizal fungi as “ecosystem engineers” and providing a methodological framework for green agriculture research. Full article

Mangrove ecosystems along the Indian Ocean coast show great biodiversity, adapting to harsh environmental conditions of high salinity and higher organic matter, and they are a host for a range of microbial communities with special features that produce unique secondary metabolites. Of this, mangrove-associated endophytic fungi, the second largest ecological group of marine fungi, show the greater potential, being a diverse pool for discovering novel bio-actives with pharmacological and biotechnological interest. This review summarizes the research findings on structural diversity and the associated pharmacological activities of secondary metabolites produced by mangrove-associated fungi along the Indian Ocean coast reported over the period of 2002–2025, based on the literature retrieved from Google Scholar. The total of 302 secondary metabolites is presented mainly from classes of polyketides (208), alkaloids (34), and terpenoids (60). Interestingly, 164 compounds were identified, as first reported in those publications. These compounds have been reported to show diverse biological activities, and the most prominent activities are cytotoxic, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, enzyme inhibitory, and anti-inflammatory effects. The structural novelty and pharmacological activities of these metabolites highlight the importance of mangrove fungi as promising sources for new drug discovery and advancing industrial biotechnology. Therefore, this review highlights the insight into the possible application of these chemical compounds in the future drug industry, as well as in biotechnology for advancing human well-being. Furthermore, though significant progress has been made in exploring the fungi community from mangroves of the African and Middle Eastern coasts, the Indian coast mangrove fungi are yet to be explored more for novel discoveries. Full article

The skin of bats hosts diverse microbial communities, yet most research has focused on bacteria or single fungal pathogens such as Pseudogymnoascus destructans. Here, we present the first direct comparison of culturable skin mycobiota in the greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis) between hibernation and the reproductive season. Swabs collected from hibernating bats in the Nietoperek reserve and from maternity colonies in Lipy yielded 41 fungal species, including 27 that represent new records for M. myotis. Winter assemblages were less diverse but strongly dominated by Penicillium (>90% of isolates), while summer maternity roosts supported broader communities shaped by environmental exposure and plant-associated fungi. Despite seasonal turnover, a small set of taxa, including Aspergillus fumigatus, Mucor fragilis, and Pseudogymnoascus pannorum, persisted across both seasons, indicating the presence of a limited core mycobiota. Richness was higher on wing membranes than on tail membranes, whereas biometric variables such as sex, age, body mass, and forearm length showed only weak and inconsistent associations with fungal diversity. These findings demonstrate that seasonal filtering is likely one of the main factors determining the skin mycobiota in M. myotis. Additionally, we expand the known fungal diversity of this species, and emphasize its role as a reservoir of environmental, opportunistic, and pathogenic fungi. Full article

To evaluate the optimal substitution ratio of organic fertilizer for chemical nitrogen fertilizer and its underlying mechanisms, a pot experiment was conducted in the rhizosphere soil of oat (Avena sativa) on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. Five treatments were established: CK (control), T1 (chemical fertilizer alone), T2 (100% organic fertilizer substitution for chemical nitrogen fertilizer), T3 (30% organic fertilizer substitution for chemical nitrogen fertilizer), and T4 (60% organic fertilizer substitution for chemical nitrogen fertilizer). We analyzed soil carbon fractions, microbial community structure, carbon-cycling enzyme activities, and yield responses and applied partial least squares–structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to identify key regulatory pathways. The results showed that 30% organic substitution (T3) was associated with optimized soil carbon pools, improved microbial community composition, and enhanced carbon-cycling enzyme activities, while reducing the abundance of potentially harmful fungi. Structural equation modeling indicated that β-glucosidase activity and the relative abundance of Proteobacteria were the primary drivers of yield, together explaining 76% of its variation. The ecosystem multifunctionality index (EMF) was significantly and positively correlated with yield. In summary, under the conditions of this experiment, 30% organic fertilizer substitution achieved a favorable balance between soil ecological functions and crop yield, providing a valuable reference for sustainable nutrient management in oat production in high-altitude cold regions. Full article

This study explores the intestinal microbiota of eight 18-month-old male alpacas from two distinct high-altitude regions in Peru: the Wet Puna (4200 m above sea level) and the Dry Puna (4900 m above sea level). Using 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA metabarcoding, microbial communities of bacteria, archaea, fungi, and protists were analyzed from the first compartment of the stomach (C1) to investigate the diversity, taxonomic composition, and correlations with hematological parameters. Significant differences in microbial diversity and composition were observed between regions, driven by dietary and environmental factors. The Wet Puna exhibited greater alpha diversity in bacterial and fungal communities, while beta diversity highlighted distinct microbial compositions. Key taxa, such as Prevotella ruminicola and Acetitomaculum, were associated with energy metabolism and host adaptation, whereas methanogenic archaea (Methanobrevibacter, Methanosphaera) dominated in the Dry Puna, reflecting adaptations to arid conditions. Correlations between microbial taxa and hematological variables, such as Acetitomaculum with red blood cell count and Eremoplastron with neutrophil percentage, emphasize the complex interplay between microbiota and host physiology. These findings contribute to understanding microbial adaptations in high-altitude livestock and provide practical insights for enhancing alpaca management and conservation strategies through tailored nutritional approaches and sustainable grazing practices. Full article